(Down Fast - Top)
BR 14.1 - Simple Overcalls
When the Opponents open the bidding your side becomes the "defending side", and you should follow the principles of defensive bidding. You can make two types of bids : Overcalls and Takeout Doubles.
When the Opponents open the bidding it means that they hold probably at least 13+ points, and the chances of making a Game contract yourself have reduced considerably. Therefore the objectives of an Overcall, in order of their priorities, are :
- To give Partner a signal for a good opening lead
- To obstruct the Opponents' bidding
- To compete for a part score or, less likely, Game contract for your side.
Overcalls are usually made at the 1 or 2 level, but occasionally also at the 3 level, when an Opponent made a pre-emptive opening bid.
The requirements for making an Overcall are :
- at the 1 level : 9 - 15 points plus a quality 5+ card suit (value 7+)
- at the 2 level : 11 - 15 points plus a quality 5+ card suit (value 8+)
- at the 3 level : 13 - 15 points plus a quality 5+ card suit (value 9+)
The Suit Quality test
For an overcall the qulity of the suit you bid is more important than the strength of the hand.
To determine the quality of your long suit : count the number of cards in your long suit and add to it the number of Honours you hold in that suit.
Length + Honours = Value
Count the Jack or 10 only if they are supported by a Queen or higher.
If the Quality value of your suit is equal to (or higher than) the number of tricks you bid, make the overcall. If it is less Pass. (Be especially vigilant about your suit's quality value when your side is vulnerable.)
(Down - Up)
Hand 1
You hold Hand 1 below.
The strength is 11 HCP + 1 LP = 12 points.
The quality value of the Heart suit is 5 + 3 = 8
If the Opponents open with :
- 1D > > You overcall with 1H
- 1S > > You overcall with 2H
(Down - Up)
Hand 2
You hold Hand 2 below.
The strength is 8 HCP + 1 LP = 9 points.
The quality value of the Heart suit is 5 + 2 = 7
If the Opponents open with :
- 1D > > You overcall with 1H
- 1S > > You Pass (with a Quality 7 suit do not make an overcall at the 2 level)
(Down - Up)
Hand 3
You hold Hand 3 below.
The strength is 9 HCP + 1 LP = 10 points.
The quality value of the Heart suit is 5 + 1 = 6
If the Opponents open with :
- 1D > > You Pass (do not make an overcall with a suit quality of 6 or less)
- 1S > > You Pass
(Down - Up)
Hand 4
You hold Hand 4 below.
The strength is 10 HCP + 2 LP = 12 points.
The quality value of the Heart suit is 6 + 2 = 8
If the Opponents open with :
- 1D > > You overcall with 1H
- 1S > > You overcall with 2H
(Down Fast - Up - Top)
BR 14.2 - Responses to Overcalls at the 1 or 2 level
An overcall is a limit bid, showing 15 HCPs or less (16 pts including length). As responder you may therefore pass at any time. With 8 points or less always pass, unless you have an unusual hand with a very long (6+ card) suit.
With 9-10 points or more you should find a suitable response.
In order of their priority
- Raise Partner's suit with 3+ card support
- Bid NT when balanced plus a stopper in the enemy suit
- Or, as last resort, bid your own 5+ card suit (hereby denying support for Partner's suit)
After Partner's overcall at the 1 level
- with 9 - 12 points - make a single raise of Partner's suit, or bid 1 NT
- with 13 - 15 points - make a jump raise of Partner's suit, or bid 2 NT
- with 9 - 15 points - and unable to raise Partner or bid NT, bid your own 5+ card suit
- with 16+ points - raise to Game in Partner's suit, bid 3 NT, or make a jump shift in your own 5+ card suit
After Partner's overcall at the 2 level
- with 13 - 14 points - invite to Game by bidding 3 in Partner's suit or bid 2 NT
- with 15+ points - raise to Game in Partner's suit, bid 3 NT, or make a jump shift in your own 5+ card suit
- with 10 - 15 points - and unable to raise Partner or bid NT bid your own good 5+ card suit
The original overcaller may pass with a weak hand when he sees no opportunity to a Game contract. Otherwise he may invite Game or go to Game himself.
(Down - Up)
Hand 5
You hold Hand 5 below.
What is your response after the following bidding sequences (Opening Opponents' bids shown in brackets).
- (1C) - 1H - (Pass) - You ? > > 3H (with 14 + 1 = 15 pts and trump support Jump raise Partner's suit
- (1H) - 1S - (Pass) - You ? > > 2NT (14 pts, no trump support, but balanced with enemy suit stopper
- (1S) - 2H - (Pass) - You ? > > 4H (with 14 + 1 = 15 pts and trump support raise Partner's suit to Game
(Down - Up)
Hand 6
You hold Hand 6 below.
What is your response after the following bidding sequences (Opening Opponents' bids shown in brackets).
- (1C) - 1H - (Pass) - You ? > > 2H (with 10 + 1 = 11 pts and trump support single raise Partner's suit
- (1H) - 1S - (Pass) - You ? > > 1NT (10 pts, no trump support, but balanced with enemy suit stopper
- (1S) - 2H - (Pass) - You ? > > 3H (invites Partner to raise to Game with a maximum : 14-16 pts)
(Down - Up)
Hand 7
You hold Hand 7 below.
What is your response after the following bidding sequences (Opening Opponents' bids shown in brackets).
- (1C) - 1H - (Pass) - You ? > > 2C (with 12 + 1 = 13 pts, no trump support, no enemy suit stopper
- (1H) - 1S - (Pass) - You ? > > 2C (with 12 + 1 = 13 pts, no trump support, no enemy suit stopper
- (1S) - 2H - (Pass) - You ? > > 3C (with 12 + 1 = 13 pts, no trump support, no enemy suit stopper
(Down Fast - Up - Top)
BR 14.4 - Responses to Takeout Doubles
When your Partner makes a takeout double you may not leave him in that bid but must respond, even with no points at all. However if your right hand Opponents has made a bid over your Partner's double you may pass with 5 points or less.
Here are the standard responses after a Takeout Double.
Comment on the NT Responses
With a strong (13+ pts) hand yourself and no clear choice to bid you may cue bid the enemy suit (bidding the enemy suit at the next level). This signals to Partner that a Game contract should be on and asks him to specify his hand.
(Down - Up)
Hand 9
You hold Hand 9 below.
What is your response after the following bidding sequences (Opening Opponents' bids shown in brackets).
- (1S) - DBL - (Pass) - You ? > > 2H
Even with less than 6 points you should make a bid. Bid Hearts as your Partner either has 4 Hearts himself or is strong enough to make another call.
- (1S) - DBL - (2C) - You ? > > Pass
Your RH Opponent has bid, overtaking your Partner's double. With only 4 points you are too weak to make a proper response.
(Down - Up)
Hand 10
You hold Hand 10 below.
What is your response after the following bidding sequences (Opening Opponents' bids shown in brackets).
- (1S) - DBL - (Pass) - You ? > > 3H
With 12 points jumpbid your 4 card suit.
- (1H) - DBL - (Pass) - You ? > > 2NT
With 12 points plus strength in the Opponent's suit bid 2NT. Partner's double shows he has the Spades covered.
